Application of botulinum toxin to the management of neurogenic inflammatory disorders

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for the use of at least one serotype or a combination of serotypes of Botulinum neurotoxin either alone or in combination with other peptides or fusion proteins, that when administered in a safe and effective amount, antagonize and therefore decrease or block inflammation induced by the neurogenic mechanisms underlying or associated with inflammatory disorders, in particular, arthritis.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method for treating neurogenic inflammation comprising, administering a therapeutically effective amount of Clostridium botulinum toxin to antagonize the action of at least one neurogenic inflammatory mediator, whereby said toxin interrupts a neurogenic pathway associated with said neurogenic inflammation. 
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein the botulinum toxin is selected from the group consisting of botulinum toxin A, B, C, D, E, F and G. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1, further comprising treating the neurogenic inflammation by inhibiting at least one neurogenic inflammatory mediator selected from the group consisting of substance-P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (cGRP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-2 (IL-2), nitric oxide (NO), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and nerve growth factor (NGF). 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1, wherein the botulinum toxin is less than about, or equal to 1000 U. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1, wherein the neurogenic inflammation is caused by rheumatoid arthritis. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1, wherein the neurogenic inflammation is caused by gout.